Student News

UK Omicron Delta Kappa inducts 26 new members

Photo provided by C. Lynn Hiler.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 8, 2024 ) – The University of Kentucky Nu Circle of national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa (OΔK) inducted 26 new members at a ceremony Nov. 3. OΔK recognizes superior leadership and exemplary character and encourages collaboration among members across the five phases celebrated by the society: scholarship, athletics, service, communications and arts.

The UK Circle was established on May 2, 1925, and celebrates leaders across campus by co-hosting the Alumni Association Great Teacher Award and other honors like the Maurice A. Clay Outstanding Graduating Senior Award and the Jerry D. Claiborne scholarship each year.

“Today, we welcome our new members into the team” said Drew White, UK Circle student president-elect. “As co-president, we all look forward to working together, supporting each other, and achieving great things as one group creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.”

The 2024-25 student officers are Nora Sypkens, president; Drew White, president-elect; Devin Bester, membership chair; Safiyah Sadek, communications chair; and Olivia Woodcock, activities and fundraising chair. Francisco Andrade, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Medicine, is the faculty advisor. C. Lynn Hiler, chief administrative officer in the UK Chellgren Center, is the staff advisor and Circle coordinator.

The Fall 2024 undergraduate inductees are (* indicates student is also a member of the Lewis Honors College):

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

  • Matthew Sanders

College of Arts and Sciences

  • Kiara Baker
  • Anesha Barjuca
  • Madison Bechard
  • Emerson Palazzo*
  • Aliyyah Sadek
  • Gabrielle Shish
  • Courtney Suber*

Gatton College of Business and Economics

  • McKenna Johansen

College of Communication and Information

  • Helena Arjona*
  • Caeleigh Bybee*

College of Education

  • Carrie Vest*

Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering

  • Drew Elbert*

College of Health Sciences

  • Ella Emmert*

College of Social Work

  • Kaidisyn Napier

The 2024-25 graduate student inductees are:

  • Syerra Donaldson, College of Social Work
  • Yolanda Massey-McCullough, College of Social Work
  • Lois McAuliffe, College of Social Work
  • Aleisha Morris, College of Social Work
  • Mallory Nunez, College of Social Work
  • Megan Pitman, College of Social Work
  • Kai Rockwell, College of Social Work
  • Ravyn Rooney, College of Social Work
  • Destiny Uhrich, College of Social Work
  • Grace Pendleton, College of Communication and Information
  • Bonnie Fineman, College of Education

Join OΔK on social media (@ODKatUKY and @ukyodk) for celebratory shout-outs to the newest members.

Omicron Delta Kappa is supported by the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence within the UK Office of the Provost. For more information on membership, contact chellgrencenter@uky.edu.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.